Drone Satellite Patent Granted · Licensing
HW-DOCK-01 — a system-level architecture for autonomous airborne relay. US Patent 12,252,279 B1 (granted). A secondary drone docks to a host aircraft, undocks on its own when comms degrade, repositions as a relay node, and re-docks when the link recovers.
The problem
Modern multi-drone operations share a recurring failure mode: when the RF link degrades — due to distance, terrain, interference, or environmental conditions — the default response is mission abort. Operators must choose between risking asset loss and abandoning the objective. Bigger antennas, satellite modems, and mesh routing each add weight, cost, and complexity without solving the underlying geometry problem: line of sight.
The solution
The Drone Satellite architecture is a patented airborne relay system that enables autonomous communication recovery and mission continuation through mid-air docking and repositioning.
A secondary drone (the "satellite") physically docks to a primary mission aircraft during transit. When the system detects link degradation, the satellite autonomously undocks, repositions as an airborne relay node, and re-establishes the link — without operator intervention. Once the link is restored or the primary returns to coverage, the satellite autonomously re-docks for efficient transit.
What the patent actually covers
This is not a docking-mechanism patent — it is a system-level architecture patent that covers the decision-and-control layer for autonomous mid-air coordination under degraded communications. The novelty is in how the system decides when to deploy, where to position, and when to recover — autonomously.
Key distinctions from prior art:
- Not mesh networking. Physical repositioning of a relay asset, not software routing.
- Not a bigger radio. Solves the line-of-sight / distance geometry that no antenna can fix.
- Not operator-directed. The system manages its own deployment and recovery cycle.
- Not a standalone product. Designed as an architectural layer that integrates into existing UAS programs.
Patent details: US 12,252,279 B1 — USPTO public record. Inventor: Jesse Collings. Assignee: NIRO Corp.
Target market
- Defense and tactical ISR — extended range, contested link environments, persistent observation without ground relay.
- BVLOS commercial operations — delivery, inspection, linear infrastructure (pipeline, power line, rail) survey.
- Public safety and disaster response — operations in areas where cell and ground infrastructure are degraded or non-existent.
- Maritime and expeditionary operations — over-the-horizon relay, shipboard and austere-site launch.
- Home and neighbourhood security (longer-term) — autonomous perimeter response without cell-tower dependency.
Current status
- Patent granted — US 12,252,279 B1.
- HW-DOCK-01 reference build — mechanical, electrical, and firmware design released; 9 Drone-Satellite-specific mechanical drawings stamped (carrier fixture, mating fixture, AprilTag plate, camera brackets, LiDAR bracket, latch housing / hook / receiver).
- Regulatory fast path identified — tethered-satellite configuration is not classified as a drone under FAA Part 107, materially simplifying pilot-integration timelines.
- Pre-revenue — available for licensing as system IP and for paid-pilot integration with UAS programs.
- Sim-stack status — publicly-cited pass-rate figures from before April 2026 were retracted in our internal closeout (the Drone-Sat orchestrator was timing-broken; the fix was applied at the doc level and is pending a runnable rerun). We will not requote sim numbers until the rerun is done. See Engineering for details.
Key technical specs (in plain language)
In plain English: two drones, one carries the other; the smaller one detaches in flight when needed, hovers in the right spot to bridge the radio link, and climbs back up to its carrier once the job is done. The mating hardware is hardened stainless with optical fiducials for alignment; every contact surface has a measurable acceptance criterion.
How to engage
Drone Satellite is available for:
- System IP licensing — integrate the architecture into an existing UAS program.
- Paid pilot integration — NIRO engineers work with your hardware and avionics team to install a reference-integration build.
- Sponsored research / evaluation — targeted at organisations with active work on multi-platform UAS coordination, extended-range operations, or communication resilience.
No pricing is published. Commercial terms are discussed directly. Contact Jesse to start a conversation, or review the full engineering release.
Related
SkyWrite — the sister hardware platform. Engineering — the full hardware release package.